Professional Turkish Qanun MK-123
- In stock, ready to ship
The Professional Turkish Qanun MK-123 is a Turkish kanun built in Mustafa Sağlam's Ankara workshop — plane wood (chinar) body, ebony pegs, alpaca mandals, PVF strings, tuned to the standard Turkish A-A' makam scale. Same maker, same workshop hours, same quality standard as its sibling the MK-404; the two differ only in body wood, which gives each a distinct color and visual character.
MK-123 vs MK-404 — same quality, different wood
Both come from the same Ankara workshop, made by the same luthier (Mustafa Sağlam), held to the same build standard, priced identically. There is no quality hierarchy. The only meaningful difference is wood: MK-123 uses plane wood / chinar (lighter, paler — closer to the classic Turkish kanun look), while MK-404 uses walnut with a spruce soundboard (warmer, darker tone). Pick whichever wood you prefer — both serve the same Turkish makam repertoire equally well.
Sound demo
Best for
- Turkish makam soloists — Ottoman fasıl, Mevlevî music, modern Turkish art music
- Conservatory students who want the lighter chinar plane-wood look
- Recording soloists in Turkish classical and Ottoman fasıl
- Players who prefer the lighter, paler wood tone over walnut
Specifications
| Maker | Mustafa Sağlam — Ankara, Türkiye |
|---|---|
| Tuning | Turkish A-A' (low A to high E) |
| Mandal system | 24 per course (alpaca) |
| Soundboard | Plane wood (chinar) |
| Tuning pegs | Ebony |
| Strings | PVF nylon |
| Includes | Hardshell case, replacement strings, mandal-tightening key, fingerpicks |
| Country of origin | Ankara, Türkiye |
MK-123 vs other Sala kanuns
| Model | Price | Body wood | Maker |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK-123 | $1,299 | Plane wood (chinar) | Mustafa Sağlam · Ankara |
| MK-404 | $1,299 | Walnut + spruce | Mustafa Sağlam · Ankara |
| MKA-4 | $1,299 | Plane wood face | Mustafa Sağlam · Ankara |
| MKE-5 | $1,299 | Plane wood face | Mustafa Sağlam · Ankara |
| MSK-4 | $3,999 | Premium build | Miras · İstanbul |
FAQ
MK-123 or MK-404 — which should I buy?
Both made by Mustafa Sağlam (Ankara), same quality, identical $1,299. Only material difference is wood — MK-123 plane wood (lighter), MK-404 walnut + spruce (warmer, darker). Choose by color preference; neither is "better."
Where is the MK-123 made?
Mustafa Sağlam's workshop in Ankara, Türkiye. Inspected and set up at our Istanbul/Üsküdar workshop, then shipped worldwide.
How long to learn the kanun?
1-2 years daily practice for confident performance. Mandal system adds complexity beyond pitch — change interval positions mid-piece for each makam transition.
Worldwide shipping?
Yes. Ships from Ankara to our Istanbul setup workshop for inspection, then in double-walled custom crates, foam-cushioned, fully insured DHL/FedEx Express. EU/US 5-9 business days.
String replacement schedule?
Casual: 6-12 months. Daily practice/performance: 3-6 months. Replace by course (not single string) for tonal balance.
When Will I receive my order?
Free shipping to the United States takes 3–5 business days.
For destinations outside the United States, free shipping takes 3–5 weeks and DHL shipping takes 2–4 days.
Does Sala Muzik Ship Internationally?
We currently ship anywhere in the World.
